Retail unhappy as efforts to make attacking shopworkers a specific offence are rebuffed

Although some peers in the House of Lords yesterday spoke in favour of the measures, two proposed amendments to the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill were withdrawn.

The government argues that a wide range of potential offences already exist for assaults on shopworkers, including common assault, so there is no need for a specific offence of assaulting a shopworker.

James Lowman, chief executive of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS), said: “We are extremely disappointed that the government has once again failed to take urgent action to protect colleagues working in our sector.

“These amendments would have introduced a new specific offence for attacks on shopworkers in line with recently passed legislation in Scotland and provided our colleagues with the additional protection they so desperately need.

“Violent and abusive incidents can be traumatic for the individuals, often with significant emotional and physical implications, and shopworkers should be provided with the same level of protection across the UK.”

Another retail body, the NFRN, agreed and added that it would continue to press for greater protection for shopworkers.

Shahid Razzaq, chairman of its political engagement committee, said: “We are grateful to the members of the House of Lords who supported retailers during last night’s debate by raising the plight that people working in shops face every day.

“Theft, vandalism and physical and verbal attacks are an all-too-familiar part of life for independent retailers.

“We will continue to lobby the government, police chiefs and police and crime commissioners for greater legal protection for everyone who works in retail.”

Shopworkers union Usdaw also pledged to continue pressing for legislative change.

Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said: While we are still disappointed that the government has not committed to a simple standalone offence for assaulting a retail worker, we remain hopeful that their ‘active consideration’ will eventually lead to the right result for our members.

“We need a new offence to encourage prosecutions and provide the deterrent effect that retail staff are desperately looking for.”